Minutes: Reavis stated the minutes needed to be amended to show that he voted against the sanitation code ordinance and Malone voted in favor. S. Jones made a motion to approve the amended minutes from the April 7, 2014 Council meeting. Crum seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Ordinance 4: Reavis made a motion to approve Ordinance 4 in the amount of $375,442.65. Lowery seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Visitors:

Senator Ty Masterson addressed the council regarding NIAR and the ARTDG lease at the Airport.

Business:

Frisco Depot Restoration Project: Council discussed the revised floor plan for the Frisco Depot Restoration. Malone made a motion to appoint a sub-committee of Sue Jones and Paul Belt to meet with WMA Architects to review the plans and finishes for the Frisco Depot Restoration and make a final recommendation to the Governing Body. Lowery seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

The Mayor welcomed Boy Scout Troop 221 to the meeting.

Strategic Plan: Council discussed the public comment survey results regarding the City of Augusta 5-year strategic plan. Shaw recommended that staff consult with various organizations to obtain more community input.

Vacation of 5th Ave. between Oak and Walnut: General consensus of the Governing Body was to move forward with the request from D-J Engineering to vacate a portion of 5th Avenue located between Oak Street and Walnut (HWY 77).

Local Training Area (LTA) License Agreement with Kansas Army National Guard: Rawlings made a motion to approve the LTA License Agreement with the Kansas Army National Guard to allow the 226th Engineer Company based in Augusta to use designated locations at Santa Fe Lake as a training site and authorize the City Manager to sign. Reavis seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Director Alternate Member Appointment: Lowery made a motion to appoint Josh Shaw to serve as Alternate Member representing the City on the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Board of Directors. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Annual Board Appointments for 2014: S. Jones recommended term limits be set for the Park Board as it is the only committee or board without term limits. Childers agreed. Jones made a motion to approve the Mayor’s recommended appointments and reappointments to the City’s various boards and committees. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Matters From/For Council:

Williams reminded the Council of the work session on April 28, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss water rates and long term debt financing.

Informational Memorandum and Final Comments:

Malone: Malone stated he would like to bring up DAI again regarding a few areas of concern for him. He stated they did not perform to my expectations with regard to the potential of a new hotel coming in downtown. Malone stated it also bothers him that three of the board members on DAI are also on API and chasing another hotel deal. He stated that may be a conflict of interest if they are representing economic development downtown but also community wide development. Crum stated she spoke to two members from DAI and they were very excited about the new hotel.

S. Jones stated DAI was asked about their membership at the last meeting. She stated that based on their last publication, they have 21 members and only 9 of those are downtown businesses. Malone stated he is not against DAI, but his problem is spending tax payer money that could be spent to better the parks, etc. He stated that as a business owner downtown he isn’t getting anything out of the organization. Jones echoed Malone’s comments.

Reavis: Reavis referenced item #11 on the informational memorandum. He asked if the updated cost benefit analysis is different than the one previously provided. Shaw stated it was. Shaw stated the return on investment ratio has improved. Reavis asked if there has been a market study done to see if the market can sustain another hotel in the community. Shaw stated these are run in a standard way by cost benefit consultants, such as Wichita State University and Stephen Robb who the City chose to work with on the hotel project. Reavis stated he thinks there may be a need to do a market study and feasibility study to see if the community can support another hotel. Williams stated feasibility studies are usually ran by the developer and investors to make sure they are willing to take the risk and build in the community. Parker stated it depends on how it is financed if the City participates. He stated if they take notes to the public market place, in order for the financing package to be attractive, there is generally a feasibility study that is conducted by the financial advisor team and bond underwriter.

Reavis recognized Larry and Sue Harvey for a donation to purchase three trash receptacle enclosures to be place around the Augusta Lake. Reavis stated the Harvey’s frequently walk around the lake and spend time picking up trash along their walk.

Rawlings: Rawlings stated the new playground facility in Garvin Park was being used all the time. Rawlings stated there has been a lot of work done around the park, but that there still needs to be some cleanup work around the pump station and side walk. He stated it is really looking good.

S. Jones: Jones stated the markings on the recycle bins in the parking lot at Dillon’s need to be redone. She asked if MKEC has come out to look at the erosion of the Dam. Shaw stated he has a site visit scheduled with the engineer.

Jones inquired about an invoice from the Butler County Conservation District and stated that she was taken aback that we paid $306 for a kid’s brochure and work sheet. She stated if that is what our funds are supporting she is very disappointed. Shaw stated this is one of the outlets they used in their outreach to get into the schools. Shaw stated they also have brochures located at other business including Augusta Saw & Mower and Wal-Mart.

Jones inquired about City Code related to vehicles left in street and furniture and garbage in yards. She asked about the status of addressing our code enforcement since it is in the strategic plan. Shaw stated it is a priority to address property maintenance and beautification. Shaw stated he needs to get an update from the Inspection Department to see where they are on the notification procedures with the problem areas. Shaw stated he has also visited with the new City Attorney to provide guidance on what we can do to improve this process.

Jones stated 28 out of 53 flower pots have been adopted and that the deadline is the first part of May.

Williams: Williams thanked those that participated with the Give Back Day. Williams reminded everyone that the City’s fireworks show is up to us as citizens to fund, and the cost is approximately $7,500. She stated there is an easy way to donate through crowd funding by going to www.crowdrise.com and searching for Augusta Kansas Fireworks Show. She stated we are currently at 7% of our goal. Reavis asked for clarification about the $5 admin fee for using a credit card. He stated the person donating will be charged a $5 admin fee.

Lowery: Lowery inquired about the repairs on the overpass. He stated he believes the City made some repairs and asked if that is the city’s responsibility. Shaw stated the City receives approximately $9,000 in funding from the State annually for maintenance and repairs to the city’s connecting links which includes the overpass. Shaw stated there are concerns about the type of repairs needed and that there is a big maintenance project scheduled for the west bound lanes this summer.

Crum: Crum stated Kaw Lake has a Christmas in July where boats on the lake have Christmas lights on them and that adds to their 4th of July show. Shaw stated we would need to research how other communities do this, and if there is interest from the council to do something like that then staff could look into it.

Childers: Childers asked if there is a place on the City website about the level pay for utility billing. E. Jones stated that information could be put out there. Childers asked that all communications from staff go to his city email instead of his personal email.

Rawlings: Rawlings stated there was a question about the tornado siren. Reavis stated they are tested every Monday at noon from April thru August.

Belt: Belt stated there are a considerable amount of dead trees along the lake. Shaw stated that some of the trees were left on the east side because the piece of equipment we used in the past was so large it would damage the walking path. He stated there was a large cleanup effort on the north end of the lake. Belt stated there are a considerable number on the west side towards the north end. Belt inquired about liability. Parker stated it depends on the circumstances, but there are levels of protection for the city. S. Jones asked if there is a plan to start replacing some of the trees that have been removed. Shaw stated staff is hoping to come up with a replacement plan for the trees that were removed. Shaw stated that would be a good conversation during the budget discussions to determine if funding is needed.

Executive Session: At 8:41 p.m. Childers made a motion to go into Executive Session for 20 minutes under the attorney-client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to seek advice on contract terms. Childers asked that City Manager Josh Shaw and City Attorney Austin Parker join the Council in the executive session. The governing body will reconvene in the Council Chambers at 9:01 p.m. Malone seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

At 9:01 p.m. Malone made a motion to exit Executive Session with no action being taken. Belt seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

At 9:02 p.m. Childers made a motion to go into Executive Session for 20 minutes under the attorney-client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to seek advice on contract terms. Childers asked that the City Manager Josh Shaw and City Attorney Austin Parker join the Council in the executive session. The governing body will reconvene in the Council Chambers at 9:22 p.m. Malone seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

At 9:24 p.m. Malone made a motion to exit Executive Session with no action being taken. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

At 9:25 p.m. Rawlings made a motion to go into Executive Session for 12 minutes under the attorney-client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to seek advice on contract terms. Childers asked that the City Manager Josh Shaw and City Attorney Austin Parker join the Council in the executive session. The governing body will reconvene in the Council Chambers at 9:37 p.m. Malone seconded the motion. Motion carried with Childers voting in opposition.

At 9:37 p.m. Childers made a motion to exit Executive Session with no action being taken. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.

Adjourn: At 9:37 PM Malone made a motion to adjourn. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.